Used cars of the week: Vauxhall Corsas from less than £6000

Used versions of the Mk3 Vauxhall Corsa

Real-world examples

All part of What Car?'s Approved Used scheme

What Car? team

Jul 10, 2014

The Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s third best-selling car in 2014 so far, as well as being the car maker's best-selling small car. It has remained a popular choice in the city car class for more than 20 years.

The Mk3 Corsa

The current version of the Corsa was launched in 2006 and went on to become the 2007 What Car? Car of the Year.

Available as a three or five-door hatchback, the Corsa is cheap to run and good to drive, with a comfortable and roomy cabin.

In 2010 the Corsa received some new engine options, with 1.0-litre to 1.6-litre petrols, and a choice of a 1.3-litre or 1.7-litre turbodiesel. Later that year, Vauxhall also announced a face-lift that included revised front-end styling and engine stop-start.

Vauxhall Corsa problems

The Corsa was placed 87th (out of 109 models surveyed) in the 2014 JD Power Survey, with readers marking it down for demisting issues, a poor heater, noisy air-conditioning and wiper problems.

Figures complied by Warranty Direct show that the most common warranty claims for the Corsa are for axle and suspension problems, followed by engine and electrical issues.

Here's our pick of the best Mk3 Corsas in the What Car? Approved Used classifieds:

Our favourite engine is the 1.4 VVT petrol and the cheapest version we found is this 2010 1.4 SE 5dr. It has covered 37,000 miles and comes with cruise control, trip computer, electric door mirrors and steering wheel mounted audio controls. It is yours for £5988.

If you are looking for an automatic, how about this 1.4 SE? It's a2010 model with 19,000 miles and equipment includes ABS, cruise control, heated door mirrors, steering wheel mounted audio controls, front fog lights. It's priced at £7999.

Although the 1.0-litre petrol engine in this car struggles on motorways, it’s fine for city use and cheap to run. We saw this 2011 car with just 6709 miles, complete with air-con and a CD player, for £5999.